The battle against ISIS militants (also abbreviated as Daesh, ISIL, IS and Islamic State) continues in the Middle East.

Troops went undercover wearing local scarves and hiding assault weapons on the floor of their pick-up trucks during the patrol.

But just 10 miles south of Mosul’s airport a gang of savage fighters ambushed the British soldiers, firing on them with machine guns and grenades.

The Daesh militants were all killed in the reported 15-minute shootout which also invo0lved an airstrike.

The taking of Mosul could be a tipping point for ISIS as the city is considered the birthplace of ISIS.

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Mosul is about to be encircled by Iraqi forces, backed by the SAS and US special forces

Replacing ISIS with local, vetted leaders, will break the group’s grip on Iraqi territory and end its ability to inspire or direct terrorist attacks abroad.

The assault on Mosul has been planned for months and controversially will not involve US soldiers in great numbers.

Instead US President Barack Obama has been deploying special operators to target ISIS leaders and thousands of advisors, who have spent months preparing Iraqi, Kurd, and other local forces like Shia militias.

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Some coalition forces are already going after ISIS inside Mosul

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The taking of Mosul could be a tipping point for as the city is considered the birthplace of ISIS

US soldiers may be in less numbers than expected but the force will be bigger than the group who reclaimed the Iraqi city of Ramadi.

US defence secretary Ash Carter said he expected Americans to provide more logistics and “bridging” forces.

He remained tight-lipped about details but said: “The only thing I’ll say is the ETF (Elite Delta Force) is in position, it is having an effect and operating, and I expect it to be a very effective part of our acceleration campaign. I don’t have any more on that.”

Gen. Dunford said Iraqi military leaders have presented their plan for attacking Mosul to Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland, the senior American commander in their country.